Chapter 12: Challenges

"Ladies and Gentlemen, while we wait for our tournament officials to repair the ring from our last fight, the Champ would like to say a few words. So please welcome, Misterrrrr SATAAAAAAAAAN!" The announcer yelled as Hercule strolled out confidently, a cape flowing in the breeze. A hate still burned in his heart for Tao for allowing Spopovitch to die like that and as much as he tried to convince the tournament officials to disqualify Tao, they wouldn't agree to it. According to them, the damage to his body was done to himself, there was no way they could actually predict Spopovitch would die.

When they told him that, he had never been more disappointed that normal humans couldn't sense ki, even though he hadn't learned himself, he knew that if just one tournament official could feel Spopovitch's energy dropping, they would've rushed out quicker. He reached the center of the destroyed ring and received the mic from the announcer, putting on his bravado he yelled into the mic.

"YEHAAAAAAAAH!" He swapped into his victory stance, spreading his legs widely with his hands straight into the air with two peace signs rising victoriously from his hands, laughing boisterously. Gohan and Videl smiled at his goofy, oafish actions, putting up a good act considering they still saw a deep anger expressed on his face.

"Now I wanna thank you all for coming out today! It's a great day for the incredible and explosive battles we have seen thus far!" The crowd erupted as they cheered for the afro man. He took a little time to bask in their adoration. "Now, for the older generation that remembers the older tournaments, you might notice that the sun is starting to go down. We have several hotels on site for everyone. One in particular, is my own personal resort, which I will be offering free rooms to those who lost their first round fights, as well as the first 50 guests to check in after 7pm as well as a free buffet prepared by the finest chefs in the world!" Hercule declared as Gohan heard his father's stomach grumbled at the sound of food.

"It's 5:30pm right now, we have two more fight blocks before we retire for the evening. I see the officials are just finishing the repairs to the ring, so I will hand it back to your announcer for these events!" Hercule declared before handing the mic back over to the announcer.

As he walked towards the waiting area, Videl and Krillin were called to the ring, but Tao stepped into view for the whole announcement. Hercule glared at the mechanical man as Videl turned to look, knowing who was causing the intense look on her foster father's face. Her scowl did a little more to strike fear into Tao but that didn't wipe the smirk from Tao's face.

Videl turned to step out towards the ring, side-by-side with Krillin who gave her a comforting smile. The two stood upon the ring, Krillin, slightly perturbed by the idea of facing a Saiyan, especially a Super Saiyan. But he knew he stood a chance if he could ring her out, not to mention she wasn't as strong as her teacher and mate, Gohan. He tensed considering the thought of having to face Gohan if he wins against Videl.

Videl knew to be careful with the short man, she knew she had the pure raw power compared to the more experienced martial artist, but she shouldn't get overconfident, as Krillin had fought in many life-threatening battles. So he had more experience than her, making her best option to go all out in strength.

As the announcer declared the beginning of the battle, Krillin attempted to lunge at Videl, who blew him back by transforming violently to Super Saiyan. Videl used this power up to rush behind Krillin and kicked him straight up into the air, rushed to meet him so he could slam him into the ground outside the ring for a quick win.

Krillin easily anticipated her predictable actions and turned himself in mid-air and used the momentum to slam his knee into Videl's stomach. Gohan grit his teeth at that, but restrained himself knowing this wasn't a fight to the death.

Videl retreated back slightly and smirked, as she rushed Krillin from the front before disappearing. He turned to predictably catch her fist.

"C'mon Videl, there's no way youre actually this predictable. Gohan has to be a better teacher than this!" Krillin exclaimed surprised by her predictable movements.

Videl took a step back and smirked again, "To be honest Krillin, you're far more experienced than I am. I'm just trying to see what I can get away with." Videl explained as Krillin laughed.

"Well, yeah, I guess that makes sense. But why? You could just overpower me, I'm sure." Krillin said, chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head.

Videl frowned as she looked at Gohan, "He insisted on me trying to find new ways to win that dont rely on raw power. He said you'd be the best test to do that. I'm using Super Saiyan to recover quicker preventing me from being ringed out." Videl explained as she met Gohan's gaze, she smiled cheesily.

"Well then, youre already on the right track if that's your plan to prevent me from winning. If that's the case, then give me your best shot!" Krillin exclaimed as he went on offense, rushing Videl and throwing a punch as hard as he could towards her.

She blocked with her forearm and pushed off and sent her leg up to meet his chin, holding back to keep from hurting him too badly.

Krillin flipped backwards as he rubbed his chin painfully. "Good counter, but really shouldn't hold back in case this were a fight to the death." Krillin said as Videl smiled at his advice.

"Well I know this isn't a fight to the death. I can hold back however I need, right?" Videl asked rhetorically as Krillin chuckled before disappearing.

Krillin knocked Videl hard at the top of her head, sending her flying towards the ground, he knew she would recover before a ring out, so he didnt aim for a ring out. He'd have to tire her out before he can ring her out.

Videl flipped and landed on the ground, but spring off the ground, coming straight back at Krillin. "Treat every fight like youre about to die!" Krillin yelled as he put his hands on the side of his face and closed his eyes. "SOLAR FLARE!" a bright, blinding light flooded from him as it blinded the entire stadium.

Videl kept her eyes shut tightly. Krillin used this chance to rush and bombard her with attacks but she dodged each attack, countering every other attack.

"Youre more predictable than I thought Krillin." Videl said as Krillin was beginning to tire out. "Gohan said you'd try to tire me out. Said you would use the solar flare, even said you'd attack exactly as you have. I havent been sensing your energy to counter and dodge, I just remembered what Gohan said you'd do." Videl said as she headbutted Krillin.

"Then why did he say I'd be the best test for this?" Krillin asked as he grasped his head painfully, blood running down his head.

Videl shrugged before disappearing and throwing him into the ground, deciding to overpower him to win the match.

"He said you haven't trained yourself since Cell, he figured you're as bad as me when it comes to repetitive tactics. Maybe he wanted me to look from the outside in at those problems." Videl explained as she dropped out of Super Saiyan and walked over to him, extending her hand with a smile.

Krillin felt embarassed by this truth. He trained a little with Sharpener leading up to the tournament but other than that, the Earth was experiencing an unprecedented level of peace. He didn't feel the need to train 24 hours a day, seven days a week like he had when he was younger and the Earth couldn't go a couple weeks without some sort of disaster.

But he also had a family to tend to, he got a job as a police officer and moved his family to Satan City so he could be closer to work. Then he heard Goku would be back for the tournament and took a sabbatical from work so he could train. But a month is not enough time to train to fight a powerhouse like Son Goku.

He had to face facts, in terms of power, he was a worm and Son Goku was - well Son Goku was a giant, 10-story tall ape that could blast energy from his mouth.

Krillin chuckled nervously as he took Videl's hand and stood. He walked towards the waiting area, his pride wounded. Krillin stood ashamed by his loss, thinking he had an opportunity. He felt a hand on his shoulder as he looked up at his friend's smiling face.

"Don't worry Krillin, you did fine. Not to mention, you're training a fine student. We are what they grow beyond." Goku said comfortingly as Sharpener put his hand on his master's back.

18 stepped forward and pulled her husband in for a hug. He felt a second, smaller hug on his leg as he looked down to see his daughter Marron with a wide smile on her face.

Krillin looked back up to his friend, "Fair point Goku, but I think I need to start training again, and it looks like youre here to stay. Wanna go back to the good old days of training together?" Krillin asked as Goku nodded determinedly.

Gohan smile as Videl came back over to him. "You did well, did you see what I mean?" Gohan asked as Videl nodded with a nervous hand on the back of her head.

"It's fine to repeat tactics against opponents who have no training, especially if you're much stronger, but against seasoned fighters, you'll be defining insanity." Videl said with a laugh as Gohan nodded.

"Krillin is as experienced as they come, but his job has him fighting against weaker opponents every day, he certainly outclasses the majority of humans in terms of raw strength. He needed a decent challenge, just like you did." Gohan said as he began stretching to prepare for his fight with Trunks.

He noticed Celero looking over at the two of them, "By the way, since he is your only living blood relative, maybe you should talk to Celero." Gohan said calmly as Videl's face contorted into a scowl.

"And why exactly would I do that!? I have nothing to say to that man." Videl declared loud enough for Celero to hear, disappointing the Saiyan, but not allowing anyone to see it.

Gohan raised his hand to her chin and lifted it to meet his eyes. "I think you know why." He said as he rubbed the back of his hand against a fresh bite mark where the neck meets her shoulder. "He has a right to know that at the very least."

Videl huffed as she crossed her arms, "I think he forfeited that right when he declared that he wanted to kill Vegeta and literally anyone and everyone who associates or allies themselves with him. You know, that means me by extension." Videl explained quietly as Gohan kept a straight face. "My own uncle basically told us that he wants to kill everyone here, including me. Not to mention the whole abandonment thing." She exclaimed to try and emphasize her refusal to talk to Celero.

Gohan pulled her into a hug and smiled, "That's why we need to show him he's wrong. If you don't give him a reason to understand, how will he?" Gohan asked as Videl huffed.

She smirked as she looked up at him, "Fine, I'll talk to him, if you beat me in our next match. If you can't don't bother trying again." she offered up as he shrugged.

"Fine by me." He replied nonchalantly as he walked towards the ring with Goten walking eagerly beside him. Videl smiled at the young boy, knowing how much Gohan means to him. She thought about his words as she walked over to Hercule who was sitting against a wall, continuing his stare down with Tao.

As they heard the announcer yell out for the match to begin, Hercule turned to his foster daughter with a large smile, "I'm proud of you sweetpea! You've done well so far." He said excitedly, but pausing as he noticed the pensive look on her face, "Videl?" he asked curiously, breaking her from her trance.

"Sorry daddy!" She exclaimed as she smiled at him. "I guess I was just wrapped up in thinking about something." She dismissed to not let her father worry about her.

"It's about your uncle, isn't it?" Hercule asked as Videl's face fell slightly, knowing she didn't hide it very well.

She nodded and rubbed her eyes with the bottoms of her palms, "What am I actually supposed to say to him? I barely know him aside from the fact that he's my uncle!" She asked exasperated as she leaned back, frustrated.

Hercule got down on his knees in front of her and smiled, "You could always start with forgiveness sweetie." He said kindly, with a heartwarming smile that she saw often whenever she would come to a moral crossroads. She had to hand it to her father, he was a master at cheering her up with a single smile, a trait that led her to fall in love with Gohan.

Her face fell again though, knowing it is easier said than done. "I know I should, but there's a distinct difference in saying it and actually doing it. Life is rarely as simple as forgiving and forgetting." Videl pointed out as Hercule nodded.

Hercule chuckled, "I wouldn't expect you to forget. But you'll drive yourself crazy if you hold a grudge for the rest of your life." he said wisely as he sat down next to her and wrapped and arm around his daughter, "Now, use your senses, tell me how the boy's fight is going." Hercule requested as Videl glared playfully.

"His name is Gohan, you're going to have to get used to him being around daddy." She said as she elbowed him playfully.

"I know, I'm kidding sweetie. Now let me know how he's doing, he's fighting that little kid, right?" Hercule asked as Videl closed her eyes and felt out their ki.

"Yeah, that little kid is his brother and they're going at it pretty intensely. Although it doesn't seem that Gohan is taking it as seriously. Not very surprising though." Videl stated as she announced the fight to her father.

Gohan ducked a punch from Goten, who was already in his Super Saiyan form, and lodged his own fist into the boy's stomach. Goten stumbled backwards to the ground as Gohan stood up straight.

Goten coughed heavily before dropping back into his stance, "No fair Gohan! How are you so strong without going Super?" He declared as Gohan smirked and fazed out of view and behind Goten. Goten, doing his best to predict movements, turned on the ball of his foot and spun around to kick Gohan, only to hit an afterimage.

Thinking quickly, he launched his fist backwards to try and hit where he thought Gohan would be, only to hit another afterimage. He looked around to see several afterimages around him. Trunks swallowed nervously as he tried to feel out for Gohan's ki. He could feel it moving around but couldn't pinpoint it to one single area.

Before he realized what was going on, Gohan grabbed the boy by the ankles and started spinning him around before throwing the boy high into the air. Charging a ki blast he threw it directly into the young boy's back, exploding into a cloud of dust.

"The excessive force which has been shown by Gohan is astounding, he doesn't seem to be holding anything back against the 7 year old Goten! I encourage everyone to pray for the young boy's safety while he is in the ring with this monstrous foe." The announcer declared as Gohan quirked his eyebrow in confusion, but before he could say anything to the announcer, Goten yelled out in his brother's defense.

"HEY! DON'T BE SAYING MEAN THINGS ABOUT MY BROTHER!" Goten yelled as he landed on the ring with an annoyed look directed at the announcer causing the older man to sweatdrop nervously.

"Sorry about that Goten." He said as he waved his hands in defense.

Goten's smile returned widely as he laughed, "It's okay, I forgive you!" He laughed out as he looked at Gohan, "You're really strong big brother. I can't even hit you!" Goten fawned over his big brother excitedly.

Gohan returned the smile at his little brother, "You're pretty strong yourself squirt! I've had a hard time suppressing Super Saiyan. That last month of training with Trunks really helped you out!" Gohan exclaimed as Goten laughed mischievously.

"Unfortunately, it's time to end this buddy." Gohan declared as his hair turned blonde and eyes teal. Goten was in awe, he always thought it was the coolest thing in the world to see his big brother transform. Unfortunately he dropped his guard, giving Gohan ample time to pick the boy up and move very quickly to the edge and placed him down on the ground outside the ring.

Once Goten realized what had happened he let out a large pout as Gohan chuckled, "Sorry Goten, but I didn't really want to hurt you anymore." Gohan said as Goten's put remained.

"You weren't hurting me! I was going to win that!" Goten exclaimed as Gohan crouched down and picked his little brother up.

"You said yourself, you couldn't hit me, and I hadn't even gone Super yet. You knew that was in my back pocket, so no offense, but I think I would've won that no matter what. But I tell you what, you keep training and the next tournament I'll give you the challenge you deserve." Gohan explained as Goten's smile returned before perching himself on Gohan's shoulder.

With the end of that fight, Mr. Satan reappeared on the ring. "Well folks! That wraps up todays fights neatly. I hope to see you all tomorrow for the second half of round 2, as well as all of the semi-final rounds." He declared as the crowd slowly left the stadium, excited for the next round of fights tomorrow.

Celero walked away from the stadium, deep in thought as he came across two figures, with a familiarity to them. "Good to see you Celero." the cat man said as Celero looked up and locked eyes with him.

A scowl appeared on his face as he instantly recognized them as the spectators from his fight against Vegetas Great Ape form. "Who are you?" He asked simply, in a defensive manner as Beerus smiled evilly.

"Does my reputation not precede me? Or have you not heard of me since you knocked the cobwebs out of that thick skull?" Beerus said, tapping hard on Celero's forehead, causing the Saiyan to try and knock his paw away.

"If you won't answer my question, I can always beat it out of you!" Celero declared, cracking his knuckles.

Whis placed his staff between the two bull-headed fighters, "Now, Now, you still have a fight tomorrow. You should get some rest young man." Whis offered as Celero knocked the staff away.

"I am not going anywhere until I find out who you are and why you were on Yasai a thousand years ago." Celero stated as Whis sighed.

Beerus stepped forward, "I was judging it on behalf of Lord Wodan. You were the deciding factor." Beerus stated as Celero furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Lord Wodan? Judging? Who are you to judge a planet?" Celero asked, slightly calmer as Beerus walked past him.

"I am Lord Beerus, the God of Destruction. I suggest you monitor your tone with me." Beerus said with a slightly irked tone.

"God of destruction? So when you say judging a planet, you mean whether or not you're going to destroy it!?" Celero asked incredulously as Beerus nodded.

"Is that not obvious?" Beerus asked in retort as he watched the gears in Celero's mind turn by the implications at hand.

"So why are you on Earth?" Celero asked nervously as he tried to fell out Beerus' ki to try and get a grip on whether or not he could fight the God standing before him, only to not detect even a little bit of a ki signature.

Beerus smiled deviously in response.

End Chapter

I wanted to end with a cliffhanger. If you see anything that says Trunks when referring to Gohan's fight, I honestly forgot I had Goten beat Trunks, so there is a chance that I referenced Trunks during the fight with Gohan.

I don't know how many of you have seen, but I did start a new story about a week or two ago called Videl's Search. It's going to be shorter than this story, but I am using it to keep the creative juices flowing for this story. So if you haven't already, please go check it out.